Mark Pearson has previously warned that the number one concern for farmers is illegal hunting trespass, with research backing his claim. The terrible story today of dogs in the firing line is just another example of when the situation escalates to the point of a physical altercation between hunter and farmer.

“Since being elected to the NSW upper house last year, my office has received a steady stream of calls from distressed and angry landholders about illegal hunting on their properties.

Callers describe the lawlessness of weekend warriors entering remote properties and shooting anything that moves. I have heard stories of bullets flying in all directions and the terrible suffering of animals with hunting dogs left for dead after sustaining injuries from wild pigs. One landowner was devastated to discover dozens of dead and dying native animals such as kangaroos, wombats and even echidnas after a night of blasting away by booze-fueled thugs.”

It is time for the Minister for Police, Troy Grant, to provide additional resources to Rural Crime investigators so that they can stamp out this appalling illegal hunting before it takes a greater toll on human and animal life.